Abstract
The authors report the use of a modified ‘Y-V’ medial capsular repair in association with Scarf osteotomy for Hallux valgus in 55 patients (62 feet) aged 18 to 61 years (mean 43 years) between July 2004 and July 2005. All patients were followed up for minimum 6 months by questionnaire, physical examination (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score) and comparison of preoperative and post operative x rays.
Using this technique none of the patients required an additional proximal phalangeal osteotomy (Akin Oste-otomy). At six months follow up American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved from 46 to 87. Intermetatarsal (IM) angle and the hallux valgus (HV) angle improved from 16 degree to 9 degree and from 31 degree to 16 degrees respectively (p less than 0.05).
Of the sixty two procedures 59 did not develop any complications. Two had superficial infections which required oral antibiotics only. One partial loss of correction of hallux valgus occurred for which the patient refused a second operation. Seven cases had some residual pronation deformity of the big toe identified by the patients who felt the deformity was ‘about 50%’ compared to before the operation.
Akins osteotomy achieves an apparent correction of hallux valgus without addressing subluxation of meta-tarso-phalangeal joint. Our technique reduces the meta-tarso-phalangeal joint and corrects the hallux valgus angle anatomically.
We recommend the use of this modified ‘Y-V’ medial capsular repair to correct the hallux valgus angle and reduce the need for an additional procedure to augment the correction achieved during Scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Carlos Wigderowitz, Senior Lecturer, University Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY.
